The last couple of years have been rough on BioWare, but even so, the news that Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka are retiring from the company they founded 17 years ago is a shock.

"The decision to leave the videogame industry is hard to explain, but essentially I feel similar now to how I felt in the early days of BioWare over the decade post-medical school, while I was still practicing as an ER physician, back when I first realized that the world of videogames was my next career 'chapter'," Muzyka wrote in a farewell blog post. "Two wonderful decades working at BioWare and later EA was the result of that decision. It's not often that you can truly say you were able to pursue and achieve your dream job; I know how lucky I am to be able to say that now, in my early 40s."

"After nearly twenty years working at BioWare I've decided it's time to move on and pursue something new. This decision isn't without significant pain and regret, but it's also something I know I need to do, for myself and my family," Zeschuk said in his own goodbye. "I've reached an unexpected point in my life where I no longer have the passion that I once did for the company, for the games, and for the challenge of creation. For the people I have had the privilege of working with, however, my passion burns as brightly as it did the day we started. The people I work with now, and that I have worked with in the past, have inspired me and really made all of the challenges we've collectively faced over the years worthwhile."

Muzyka said he intends to become more involved with educational, health care and animal rights charities, while Zeschuk said he wants to pursue some "personal passion-driven projects related to craft beer." Alas, we shouldn't expect a return to the business of making games from either of them anytime soon; Zeschuk in particular said there's a "strong possibility" that he won't ever be back.

Dragon Age, Mass Effect and Star Wars: The Old Republic inspired a lot of heated discussion across the internet, but you simply cannot overstate the impact that Zeschuk and Muzyka had on the industry. From Baldur's Gate to Mass Effect 3, they rejuvenated and reshaped the RPG genre as we know it, leaving it far better and stronger than they found. For that, gentlemen, and everything else: Thank you.

It was Baldur's Gate that turned my little hobby, my little fun thing to do, in to a full fledged passion. To 1998 Baby Tea: Baldur's Gate showed that games could be powerful, expansive, emotional, fun, and everything a good book could be. Baldur's Gate 2, Jade Empire, Mass Effect, Dragon Age: These games are the ones I remember most, are the ones I still play today. Both these guys will be fondly remembered. I'll be playing Baldur's Gate tonight in celebration of their work, and what they showed me gaming could be.

The transaction into a mindless EA drone is now complete. I cry for you my dear ex-favourite studio and wish Greg and Ray all the best. I don't know what is the worst part though: the fact that they don't want to work in game industry anymore, or the fact that I will always wonder whether their desire to retire was due to feeling that they've achieved everything they could on the field, or being desillusioned with the industry after working under EA.

I bow to you two, gentlemen. I will remember fondly all you have done to the industry.

Sadly, BioWare will indubitably die a slow a painful death now that the heart and soul is really gone.

There's this nagging feeling we haven't seen the last of these two fine gentlemen though. I'm willing to bet some moolah we'll be seeing them in the not-so-distant future with a new studio... Why a respite? I'm sure EA has something in the acquisition contract saying they can't start a new studio that would compete within a couple of years of their departure.

General Vengeance:This is what happens when you crawl into bed with EA. You completely fuck up a good company.

People conveniently fail to acknowledge that BioWare were well on their way to financial ruin after Jade Empire flopped, Origins languished in development hell and Mass Effect turned out not to be nearly the smash-hit it needed to be in order to justify the expense.Not that I hold any real *love* for EA, but I think anyone who enjoyed Dragon Age: Origins and/or Mass Effect 2 could stand to give them (and naturally the Doctors who facilitated the deal) thanks for putting those games out there.

C'mon people, are we seriously going o turn these guys' departure into an EA bashing session? How about having a little decency. Let's all just reminisce in the fine times there was to be had while they were in the industry.

Ahh, good times. Good times...

Though I am curious what direction, if any, BioWare will have in the days to come.